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Nightmare on 66th Avenue

Ken Macha is Glenn Close waiting to jump out of the bathtub.  You thought the concept of Macha as the A's manager was dead.  You'd already moved on.

And then like JR being shot on Dallas, it was all a dream.

I was never a huge Macha hater like many around here, but I'd also gotten in the mindset of accepting a change.  I'd even started to look forward to seeing another person making the decisions.  Perhaps Ron Washington was finally going to get his chance.  Maybe lifelong friend Bob Geren was going to get a shot.  Maybe even A's killer Orel Hershiser was about to join.

But Macha?  I'd put that memory to rest like moving on from an ex-wife.  Guess what?  The ex-wife is back and we're married to her for another three years.

They were discussing it on KNBR and many think that it was Billy Beane who relented and realized he made a mistake letting Macha go.  I personally think that Macha suddenly realized that his only option was the A's or unemployment.  So, I imagine the conversation went something like this:

Macha:  "Hi Betty, is Billy in?"

Betty:  "Who is this?"

Macha:  "It's Ken.  Ken Macha."

Betty:  "Geren, stop playing around."

Macha:  "No, really, it's Ken.  Can I just talk to him please?"

Betty:  "OK, please hold."

Hold music plays New Edition's Home Again.
Billy picks up.

Beane:  "Is this really Macha?"
Macha:  "Yeah, Billy it's me."

Beane:  "Ken, I've got interviews with DeFrancesco and Hershiser coming up.  I don't really have time to chat."

Macha:  "Billy, you remember the time when I brought Rincon in to face Todd Walker in the Boston series the second time and he hit another home run?"

Beane:  "Ken, the whole world remembers that."

Macha:  "Well, I think I made a big mistake again.  I really never wanted to leave Oakland, except that Pittsburgh job was so appealing.  I interviewed and they realized they wanted Jim Tracy instead."

Beane:  "Hoofah, how bad is it when Pittsburgh doesn't want you?  What's your point, Ken?"

Macha:  "I want a chance to finish what I started and I'll accept your original offer."

Beane:  "Ken, this is going to look bad for everyone involved.  We publicly claimed it was over.  We're going to start to look like Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee."

Macha:  "I'm OK with that.  I just want my job back."

Beane:  "All right, I guess.  Man, Washington and Geren are going to be pissed."

Macha:  "Don't worry, my calm demeanor will help rub off on them."

Beane:  "That's what I'm afraid of."

Yes, folks, Mild-Mannered Macha and his gum chewing are officially back.  We had all moved on to new possibilities.  New opportunities.  

But the dream is over and we've got Macha back. Dream on.

0 recs | Comment 220 comments

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How do the Fans Feel?
I think they feel like this
... and it was at that point that I realized that by thinking outside the box, I had simply walked inside a cube...

by Zonis on Oct 14, 2005 12:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Holy Toledo!
<blink> <blink>

The Kung Fu Master is back in the clubhouse!

by louismg on Oct 14, 2005 12:16 PM PDT   0 recs

E-gad
I feel like i've been told I have only six months to live

by billyball1981 on Oct 14, 2005 12:17 PM PDT   0 recs

tell me this is a bad dream/nightmare
and BB didn't do this.  Another Sept. collapse is in the works, play the "set lineup".  It is now imperative that Hatte isn't resigned.

by china bob on Oct 14, 2005 4:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I, personally, find it hard to believe ...
... that Macha was solely responsible for the iron-clad set lineup and the under-utilization of the extras and the lack of days off for regular players. I think the spectrum of decisions resulting in all those were at least partially Beane's.
The best conkers to play with are uncracked, firm and symmetrical. Make a hole through the middle of your chosen conker.

by monkeyball on Oct 14, 2005 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why does it all of a sudden feel
like Major League? You know, the ownership comming up with a devious plot to dwindle attendance even more by signing rejects (IE: Macha) so the team sucks and gives them an excuse to move?

Macha is that excuse?

... and it was at that point that I realized that by thinking outside the box, I had simply walked inside a cube...

by Zonis on Oct 14, 2005 12:19 PM PDT   0 recs

Except...
...Miami already has a team. And Lew Wolff wasn't a Las Vegas call girl.

Of course, it could go like this...

Lifesize cardboard cutout of Lew Wolff in front of the team before a game.

Ken Macha: Every time we win, we pull of a piece.

The A's: WE FORFEIT!!!

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 14, 2005 2:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Unbelievable...
The most disgusting A's news in 10 years.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Remember when Billy
went to Boston? That was fun!

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 12:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh.
Whew. Thank GOD! I almost fell over. I think I'm still confused over this situation.

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 12:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Whether Macha is here or not
would have nowhere near the impact on the team that losing Billy would have had, imho. I'm really not all that confused. I think Ken just wised up. Who wouldn't want to spend all summer hanging out with the boys? I'd do it for a minimum wage.

by ArakSOT on Oct 14, 2005 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

<barf>
You know what?

Billy is a drama queen.

:)

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's part of what makes him so loveable.
And hot.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Oct 14, 2005 2:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WooHoo!
I love Macha.
Or I just like his familar face.
I don't think we need much change. And Ken is a steady hand on the ship.
"My [means of building a baseball team by continually taking advantage of tiny inefficiencies in the market] doesn't work in the playoffs." -Beane

by pbruins92 on Oct 14, 2005 12:21 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm happy...
I think there is always the feeling like well we could have had X, and he would have been better than Ken.  How do we know that especially with no track record.  I like Ken, sometimes he drives me nuts, like pinch hitting for Dye in the ALDS, but in the end I know what we have and I'm happy I don't have to see him in a different uniform next season. Besides, the players like him and bringing in someone like Orel to me would have been like having the guy that stole your wife move in to the basement of your house.  He might be your friend now, but you never forget what he did.

by Rickey35 on Oct 14, 2005 12:22 PM PDT   0 recs

agreed
Continuity and experience are the benefits of this move.

The grass always seems greener on the other side, but it often turns out to be brown or (if Orel had been hired) blue.

by david32 on Oct 14, 2005 12:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What the hell?
I was looking forward to Washington. I think this blows
Joe Blanton is phat

by gojohn10 on Oct 14, 2005 12:22 PM PDT   0 recs

I cant believe 66% have voted yes so far
This is disgusting.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:23 PM PDT   0 recs

Why?
You have your opinion. I have mine. Jennifer has hers...

I would hardly be shocked to find that most people welcome having Macha back.

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Just shocking to me.....
I didnt say they were wrong...just that MY OPINION is that is is disgusting and embarassing.....I was just surprised at the results so far...that's all.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If it makes you feel better
I didn't even notice the poll. :)

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 12:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I didn't either.
lol
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

um...
me neither too.

In fact, I still don't.

{blink}

by Poppy on Oct 14, 2005 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Me neither...
Although now it's 54 percent not liking it (as of 2:54 p.m. PDT).
AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 14, 2005 2:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What the hell is PDT?
East coast bias. Wear it.

by ArakSOT on Oct 14, 2005 8:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Meanwhile...
The "I hate Ken Macha" blog, summed it up well. "It's official,God hates me"  F----.

by billyball1981 on Oct 14, 2005 12:23 PM PDT   0 recs

I feel bad for that guy.
He really was so happy...
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Oct 14, 2005 2:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I mean....
He doesn't get the Pittsburgh job so he comes back crawling....AND we hire him back?  Disgusting.  We are now Pittsburgh's sloppy seconds.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Not surprised
Macha was one of the most qualified available managers. I'm mostly sad that we won't have Wash around much longer, now that he can't manage the A's.

by eebie on Oct 14, 2005 12:28 PM PDT   0 recs

Qualified would be up for debate...
But to say you arent surprised?  You honestly thought the guy we got rid of a week ago would be back?  Has that ever happened ever besides maybe Billy Martin?  How could anyone not be surprised?
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm just not
It's not based on the history of firings/rehirings and whatnot, just wondering who the A's would like from who was available. I didn't think he would be back, but I did think of it as a possibility.

by eebie on Oct 14, 2005 12:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You are wiser than I.....
I never even considered it as a possibility for a sec.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I suspect R-Wash
will be in Tampa Bay this year and that Billy felt losing Macha and Washington and Hudgens was too much all at once.

by atomopawn on Oct 14, 2005 12:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds about right
I kept thinking, "what's the real story behind this." Partly maybe it's Pittisburgh going with Tracy, and maybe it's also Wash deciding to move on?

by swanwilliam on Oct 14, 2005 1:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

REHIRED MACHA NOW!
"My [means of building a baseball team by continually taking advantage of tiny inefficiencies in the market] doesn't work in the playoffs." -Beane

by pbruins92 on Oct 14, 2005 12:29 PM PDT   0 recs

Diplomacy = 0 in Beane's book
It will be really interesting to see what the money was- wonder who blinked- probably not Beane.  

I guess Billy really doesn't care what it looks like to reverse yourself:

  1. Takes the Boston GM job then returns
  2. Gives the Mets a short window at Howe, then gives them another one when the first one fails.
  3. Rehires Macha after first effectively firing him.

by athletics02115 on Oct 14, 2005 12:29 PM PDT   0 recs

Claims he would never break up the big three.
cause they make him look smart.

by portlandoaks on Oct 15, 2005 12:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It was Bobby's death that was a dream....
...and we didn't find that out until the end of the following season.  At least we won't go through a whole year of Ron Washington only to have him rip off his mask during the presentation of the World Series trophy.

...or maybe it'll be Bud Selig that takes off HIS mask.  We'll find out he's really Suzanne Pleshette(if you remember the last "Newhart" episode....another dream sequence)

by Rob on Oct 14, 2005 12:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Ah, I never watched Dallas any way
I just remember my mother complaining about it.

by Blez on Oct 14, 2005 12:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bobby dies,
they do a whole season without him, then in the final episode of the season, Victoria Principal wakes up, goes to the bathroom, and sees Bobby spring from the bathtub wielding a butcher knife ... no, actually, that was "Fatal Attraction,"... she sees Bobby in the shower, turns out he was never dead, and the whole season was a dream. Lame-o-rama.
"Great guys, great teams, great fans, great organization. No matter where I go, if I go, it's going to be hard to compare to what I've experienced here." - Zito

by Checkswing HR on Oct 14, 2005 1:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The main thing that bothers me about Macha
is his seeming indifference on the bench and his stubborn refusal to change up the batting order after a month of struggles.

I usually think he handles the pitching staff fairly well and the bullpen.  Remember, he coaxed 88 wins out of a team that had been ravaged by injuries and inconsistent offense.

by Blez on Oct 14, 2005 12:31 PM PDT   0 recs

That indifference and stubbornness
is not going away...We all know that.  It's who he is.....This team will be good either way, but he might be what holds them back from great.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If only
he would close his mouth when he chews, I'd be so much happier.

by skigurl on Oct 14, 2005 4:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nick speaks....
``It's good to have him back,'' right fielder Nick Swisher said in a phone interview from his home in West Virginia. ``Macha's a great manager and he knows the game. I'm excited for next season to get started. Billy knows what he's doing. Just like everyone else in this organization, he's always going to push us in the right direction.''
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 14, 2005 12:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Jesus...
I was really looking forward to a new manager...
"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." ~Ted Williams

by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 14, 2005 12:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Jesus?!?
How did Beane get permission to interview Jesus?
The best conkers to play with are uncracked, firm and symmetrical. Make a hole through the middle of your chosen conker.

by monkeyball on Oct 14, 2005 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes!
Then Huston wouldn't need the bracelet, he could just go over to the dugout and ask!

by Poppy on Oct 14, 2005 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no, JESUS!
I'm confused. I thought we were hiring Jesus... are we hiring the Sandwich instead? Then can Jesus be the hitting coach? No, I like the idea of Hatteberg as the hitting coach... maybe Jesus can replace Washington! And he can perform the miracle of multiplying RBI's whenever hitters are tempted to strand runners! Just wave everybody in!

by Poppy on Oct 14, 2005 1:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hiring Sandwich would be awesome...
but having Jesus would be even better.

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 1:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Pastafarian....
Isn't the Flying Spaghetti Monster still available? We should grab him AND Jesus AND the Sandwhich. Hudgens, Wash and Macha, move over, here come the dieties.........

P.S. If you don't know about the F.S.M. you are really missing out, I'll find a link and post it later.

"Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody is watching....." - KW

by PosterNutbag44 on Oct 14, 2005 3:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Too funny
My friend was just telling me about him today.

by ArakSOT on Oct 14, 2005 8:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What is that?
Looks like a 3-week-old slice of pizza.
"Great guys, great teams, great fans, great organization. No matter where I go, if I go, it's going to be hard to compare to what I've experienced here." - Zito

by Checkswing HR on Oct 14, 2005 1:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's an image of the Virgin Mary
in a grilled cheese sandwich.

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 1:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cognitive dissonance
Those who think that Billy Beane can do no wrong and Ken Macha can do no right will finally have to get over it and accept that Beane's public support of Macha's management was more than just hot air. The fact is that Beane believes that Macha, though not perfect and not worth a huge contract, has strengths as a manager that outweigh his weaknesses, and is as good a choice as anyone available to manage this team. And I think he's right.
The revolution starts now.

by andeux on Oct 14, 2005 12:33 PM PDT   0 recs

ha!
APRIL'S FOOLS? This is so strange. It's really quite bizarre. But I'm happy with the news, as strange and surreal as it is. Welcome back, Macha. Hope your one week-2 day hiatus was fun.

Blez, your mock phone conversation between those two was hilarious. I just read it to my mom. I doubt she's ever laughed so hard at work. Good stuff, man.

by rocksolidrichharden on Oct 14, 2005 12:35 PM PDT   0 recs

so strange
I'm here and I read the Macha returns diary first...then all the other ones about managers or how macha manages. I feel like I'm in Bizarro World
"My [means of building a baseball team by continually taking advantage of tiny inefficiencies in the market] doesn't work in the playoffs." -Beane

by pbruins92 on Oct 14, 2005 12:37 PM PDT   0 recs

I guess at this point
all I can do is accept what is now reality for the next three years. I just hope that billy beane has the bigger picture in mind with this signing. I hope washington doesent leave. And I appoligize that after I read the news initially that I advocated booing Macha on Opening day. that was just my blood boiling and not rational thought taking place. I agree with everyone that it would be classless... It still pisses me off that macha is coming back though. I was SO HAPPY when it was announced that he was leaving....
I HATE THE ANGELS!!!! GO A's in 2006!!!!!

by Shippee33 on Oct 14, 2005 12:39 PM PDT   0 recs

It's official
Truth really is stranger than fiction.  
A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 14, 2005 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Saint and BBG
Where are they? I guess it's hard to type when you're writing on the floor in despair.

by eebie on Oct 14, 2005 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

and china bob?
<runs for cover as sofa is thrown>
"Great guys, great teams, great fans, great organization. No matter where I go, if I go, it's going to be hard to compare to what I've experienced here." - Zito

by Checkswing HR on Oct 14, 2005 1:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess that means no
Scott Hatteberg, Manager. :(

<throws chair>

(we really need a shirt that says that)

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<sob>
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think I'm going to just make a shirt.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe we're the only ones who want one.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 12:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I breaking out the iron tonight
and making my own. Screw them.

<throws chair>

by Jennifer on Oct 14, 2005 1:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Awesome.
I'll do mine sometime...whenever...
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Oct 14, 2005 1:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd buy 10!
Well, one, at least.  I think I'm the only guy in the Coliseum wearing a Hatteberg #10 t-shirt when I go there.
A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 15, 2005 9:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
This makes me really, REALLY sad, I didn't even realize.... DAMN!!!! :-(

There DOES need to be a shirt that says that. Blez should totally have them. I'd buy one in an instant.

Damn. If there's any time for a <throws chair>, this is it. Stupid Macha.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder